A victim of the Australian wildfires, whose uninsured family home was destroyed, has become a millionaire after winning the Australian lottery with his wife's lucky numbers.
The man, from Mount Cotton in Queensland, said the timing of the win was "impeccable" after his house was burnt down in the fires that continue to ravage New South Wales.
All that was left of their home was a "few charred teacups", the man said.
His $1million prize will allow him and his family to rebuild their home from scratch.
"We didn't know if we would ever be able to rebuild but now we definitely can," said the resident, who asked to remain anonymous.
"This is amazing. I can't get over it."
He was informed of his win, worth about £525,000, after being contacted by a lottery official.
Oblivious to his good fortune, he was already back at work.
He told the official: "Did I win one million dollars? Am I seeing things? Is this real?
He had used his wife's "special numbers" when he played Australia's official lotteries.
"They've delivered in a big way," he said. "I can't wait to go home and give my wife a big kiss and a cuddle."
Across Australia, at least 25 people have been killed and 2,000 homes destroyed by the blazes, with the fires expected to rage for another three to four months.
It is estimated that half a billion animals have also died in the wildfires.
